Please Help... Upcoming tooth extraction.
 

Bryanna and others that may be able to help,

I have two teeth that need to be extracted (1 lower left molar and 1 upper right premolar, I think). Both are decayed and broken to the gum line. I saw my dentist and he gave me 15 days of amoxicillin for the infection, twice a day 500mg each. The last dosage will be on august 26. He referred me to an oral surgeon to have the procedure done. Also, he said that the infection wasn't too severe, but he'd like the teeth out ASAP.

However, I am 26 years old and no longer in my parents insurance, so I opted for dental hmo plan which meant that I have to see a different dentist and have them refer me to a different oral surgeon. The insurance officially takes in effect on September 2.

I am completely scared because its a new set of professionals that are working with me. Plus I've read horror stories online about the oral surgeon accidentally losing grip of the extracted tooth and it falling into the open airways leading to death. Also, I'm terrified of the iv sedation (needle on arm, etc) even though I know for a fact that I can't do just local because I'm apprehensive about pain. Im scared that the infection would come back afterthe extraction.. so many fears :-(
Also, I'm quite small at 5'0/ 100lbs and everything medical frightens me

I know you've helped eased people's fears of the dentists here, I was hoping you may be able to do the same for me. Thank you soo much in advance. I'm literally crying every night because of this fear and stress.

I recently had a tooth extracted and was very apprehensive as well. I had it done under local the the numbing shots in the gum were only slightly painful and I did not even know the moment that my tooth was removed till they held it up in front of me.
Perhaps having a dental dam might ease your fears about a tooth falling into the open airways. Hope that helps. I'm sure Bryanna will be along with some well qualified advise.

J

Thank you for your reply. I'm hoping my extractions would be as simple as yours, but I doubt it since my teeth are infected (taking antibiotics), decayed and broken with no crown left :/

I looked into dental dams. I wonder if the oral surgeon would be inhibited during the surgery because of it. I just can't wait for all of this to be done and over with :(



QUOTE=youngatart;1008673]I recently had a tooth extracted and was very apprehensive as well. I had it done under local the the numbing shots in the gum were only slightly painful and I did not even know the moment that my tooth was removed till they held it up in front of me.
Perhaps having a dental dam might ease your fears about a tooth falling into the open airways. Hope that helps. I'm sure Bryanna will be along with some well qualified advise.

J[/QUOTE]

Hi fearfulkid,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some help here.

First of all it's okay to feel apprehensive. Everyone feels that way about having a tooth removed. Yes, it can be a bit more difficult when the tooth is decayed and broken to the gum line. But there are special refined instruments that are used in cases like yours and the outcome will be okay.

Regarding the IV sedation for oral surgery... this will be SO quick and painless. The needle they use is very small and sometimes put into the back of the hand rather than the arm. But either way it is not anything like you are imaging it to be. You will immediately go in to a twilight sleep. You will wake up feeling pretty well and maybe just slightly groggy. The areas of extractions will be very numb for several hours... which is good. The time between the IV and when you are all done will feel like only seconds have passed.

On a side note... I too am very petite.... 5'2... under 100 lbs. So I understand what you are saying about medical things concerning you. The OS will take in to consideration your size and weight when the IV meds are administered so as to not give you more than necessary. If it makes you feel better.... remind him of your petite-ness :)

Regarding the financial aspect of this.....
I know dentistry is expensive... too expensive.... in fact way over priced! However, if you like the oral surgeon that you consulted and are not comfortable going to a new general dentist and then new OS.... feel free to call the OS (that you saw) and speak to the office manager about a financial arrangement. Ask her if the office offers a discount for paying cash at the time of the service and/or for people without insurance and/or a short term financial plan. People do this all the time... so give it a shot!

Regarding the use of a dental dam.... great idea by Jay... his cleverness amazes me sometimes ;) However, dental dams are not generally used for tooth extractions, especially when the teeth are broken to the gum. The assistant may or may not line the inside of your mouth with gauze too catch any falling pieces of tooth. You will be asleep so this will not bother you.
As for what you have read online about people aspirating an extracted tooth and dying from that event...... this is extremely rare and in my 35 yr career, I have never had that happen. I have had patients swallow their tooth... only to discover it later on that evening when it... passed. This is rare event is really not something to be concerned about as it will only cause you undue anxiety and stress.

A side note, it is best to have these teeth removed while you are on this antibiotic so to avoid having to take more of it later on.

Please let us know how you're doing... and if we can help you.
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna! Thank you so much for the reassurance and new information regarding the procedure. I feel a bit better now that I know more about it... you definitely eased some of my worries, especially since you're petite as well! :)

I get my dental hmo plan officially on sept 1. I'm hoping that I can get referred to an OS on the 2nd, and hopefully schedule the consultation/extraction the following week. Do you think this would be ok since I'll be finished with my antibiotics on August 26. Is it possible for the infection to recur within those couple weeks before extraction?

Regarding the infection, what are the chances of it recurring after the extraction, even with prescribed antibiotics before and after? Also, I have a partially erupted wisdom tooth next to the #18 extraction... I was wondering if this should be extracted as well, if so can these extractions all be done at one go? I'd rather get it all done and healed up altogether.

I'm hoping this is irrelevant to the tooth infection, but last night before bed, I started having left side neck/shoulder pain. I can lift my arms just fine, only hurts when I move forward or do circular motions with my shoulder. Perhaps I just unknowingly pulled/strained a muscle? I hope so :/

Oh and I called the surgeon that I initially wanted and asked about payment plans, especially paying it in cash etc. and unfortunately they don't do that at their practice :(

Again, thank you so much for your time and effort to answer questions on here. It's such a relief that I can have someone in the field to talk to :) I'm sorry this post is so long.

I'm sorry, i have more questions :(....During the procedure (iv sedation), are you fully asleep? Or can you respond to the surgeons questions etc, are your reflexes still functioning? Is it possible to gag for having your mouth open for awhile. Roughly, how long is the surgery for extracting teeth?

I'm so sorry to bombard you guys with questions, but thank you in advance for possible answers.

Find a Dentous Tbhat Gives Nitrous Oxide
 

[QUOTE=Fearfulkid;1008658]Bryanna and others that may be able to help,


Then get your favourite soms omn your MP3 Player I had all my teeth pulled tried all methods and as soon as they take the Mask off you dont feel it ,I would say it makes the time go by very fast and get plenty of Lidocaine oir whatever Anesthesia ,getting them out wont be bad ,promise
Gentle Hug
Rsdno

Hi-

I was an OR nurse. If you are having IV sedation, you are not under General anethesia....there is a difference...You probably will not remember anything, and the Dr/dentist knows how much to give based on certain factors, everyone is different.

When removing bony impacted wisdome teeth in the OR, w/General anesthesia and the pt. was intubated (Breathing tube in the airway), the oral surgeon would place a wet sponge (gauze) so nothing would go down the airway, so the pt would not aspirate.

I hope this helps.

Hi Fearfulkid,

No worries.... ask all the questions you want to :)

During oral surgery in the dental office the IV sedation is a mixture of meds that put the patient into a twilight sleep. You are asleep but not unconscious. There is no intubation (air way tube in the throat) necessary. You feel like you are in a deep sleep, the perception of time goes by extremely quickly and you wake up with no memory of the event. You will not be responsive to questions and you will be very calm and comfortable.... just like you were in a deep relaxed sleep. Your entire body is at rest... not paralyzed, just at rest. You will not gag because you will have no sensation of anything going on. So nothing will bother you.

Some tooth extractions take 15 minutes, some a bit longer... depends on how easy the tooth releases from the bone. The surgeon tries to do it as quickly and safely as possible.

I hope this helps.... please feel free to ask questions :)

Bryanna

Thanks everyone for the kind words and encouragement ... Guys, I really do appreciate it :)

Bryanna, thank you so much for taking part of this forum to help better inform people like me lol.
I was wondering though regarding the infection, I was given amoxicillin (500mg;twice a day for 15 days). My last day to take it is on August 26, however my extraction most likely wont be until the 2nd week of September. Do you think the infection can reoccur within those two weeks before extraction? Also, is it possible for that infection to linger even AFTER extraction and with prescribed antibiotics? Oh and if it helps, my dentist who prescribed the antibiotic said that the infection is not severe.

I'm sorry for asking soo many questions lol